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Addington Council Tree moved


AN email sent on behalf of resi- dents living on the village green had thanked the council for changing the position of the tree won in Kent Men of Trees competition. The village had been invited to enter the 2011 Trees in the Village competi- tion. Cllr Peter Robinson said fur-


ther quotes for a noticeboard with a two-door cabinet with the lettering ‘Addington Parish Council’ would be obtained. Members agreed to add the


bench on the green and the new noticeboard to the insurance when it was renewed. A member of the public had


raised concern about the out- side lighting on some of the newer properties along London Road. Clerk Louise Goldsmith agreed to look into this. An application to widen the entrance and crossover at land at Meadow Crest Farm, London Road, was objected to as it was not considered necessary for a field to have such a wide en- trance. No objection was raised to the replacement of a single door with two glazed doors to the rear of Bumblebee Farm, East Street. A variation to planning per-


mission TM/06/01852/FL for a single-storey side and rear ex- tension at Rosneath, 8 Clearway, gave no cause for objection. No objection was raised to the replacement of a two-storey barn annexe building with linked annexe to Lane Farm House, Mill Street, but environ- mental factorswould need to be considered. A pond and associ- atedworks at the same property were approved. Councillors heard that a light-


ing sign at Big MotoringWorld, London Road, had not been re- moved and as the owner had failed to attend an interview under caution, more formal ac- tion would be taken. The owner had also been given notice to re- move a building to the rear of the site. Potential light pollu- tion was discussed and it was agreed that the clerk should es- tablish whether the lighting had been approved. Cllr Margaret Castle said the


sign in Sandy Lane had been turned round and vegetation re- moved. The Seekers Trust had in- stalled a new dog waste bin at the opening of footpath MR171. The amount of litter on the


A20 verges would be reported to Kent Highway Services. The clerk would also write to


Tonbridge and Malling council requesting bin men take more care when emptying rubbish bins. The clerk was to ask for feed-


24 Malling


back on boot fairs from plan- ning enforcement. Cllr Robinson told the meet-


ing the first draft of the parish plan would be available soon and the competition to obtain photos of local places would go ahead. Conservation group BTCV


was looking for volunteer her- itage tree surveyors. Birling Estate Woodland was


being evaluated for forest certi- fication.


Dog fouling signs COMMUNITY warden Dave Leipnik reported he was work- ing with the borough’s litter warden on new dog fouling signs. Permission was agreed to fix one to the lighting column in the Belgrave Street car park. A dog show would be held on Eccles recreation ground on April 26 to promote responsible dog ownership. The presentation by St Mark’s Primary school on “Eccles- Past, Present and Future” had been very well received and several letters of congratulation had been received. Owners of the closed Walnut


Aylesford Council


Tree public house had been contacted re break-ins and had promised to improve security while the future of the site is de- cided.


PCSO Rose Sparrowhawk re-


ported that work continued to reduce anti-social behaviour and youths gathering at the Pre- mier Parade car park. Funding had been obtained


for an outreach group to hold 12 football coaching sessions.It was agreed that this could take place at Ferryfield, probably on Mondays, from 6pm to 8pm. Police presence was to be in- creased at QuarryWood follow- ing the recent increase in car thefts and at the A229 garages after a spate of drive-offs.


Ditton Council Planning breach


IT was noted that there had been a breach of planning con- trol at the rear of 429-431 Lon- don Road and the owner had been advised that he must cease this use immediately. Members resolved that the council was unable to con- tribute to the 2011 Y2Crew summer scheme. A resident attended the meet-


ing in connection with her com- munication regarding the litter in the parish, blocked drains and grounds work matters. Bor- ough Cllr Barry Stone explained the situation regarding street cleansing and drain clearance responsibilities, none of which fall within the parish council’s remit. It was resolved to make dona-


tions from the council’s chari- ties account of £100 each to


Victim Support, Ditton Heritage Centre, Children with Leuk- aemia, Heart of Kent Hospice and High Spirits Variety Group, and £250 to Kent Air Ambu- lance. Cllr Stone reported that the


Rib Shack, operating from do- mestic premises in Primrose Drive, had been issued with a cease notice. It was noted that the grounds equipment stored in the Cedar Room would have to be re- housed and it may be necessary to purchase another container. A suggestion was made that


the parish council might pur- chase royal wedding commem- orative mugs for all the children in Ditton. It was noted that the cost could be around £1,000 and resolved to agree, in princi- ple, subject to further investiga- tion of actual costs.  In last month’s report, we


stated that profit from the Christmas dances was £214.55. The correct figure was £2,514.55.


Historybook


East Peckham Council


IT was reported that the village historian, while researching the casualties fromWWIand WWII, had produced a draft publica- tion that she would like the parish council to publish to co- incide either with the war me- morial renovations or the November 2011 Remembrance Day Service. It was noted that for an initial print run of 500 copies, the borough council had quoted either £600 or £700, de- pending on how the book was bound. It was resolved that, in the


first instance, possible grants would be sought and applied for and that any remaining pub- lication costs would be met by the parish council on the basis that, as soon as costs had been recovered, proceeds would be donated to the Royal British Le- gion.


KCC Cllr Richard Long was confident that Kent Highway Services would implement the recommendations made by po- lice in respect of the chicane at The Harp pub. He would, how- ever, attempt to ascertain the grounds upon which other vil- lages had been successful in having their problematic traffic calming measures removed. Complaints had been received regarding dog fouling at Hale Street, the grass verge at The Harp pub, the playing fields, The Freehold, Pound Road and the footpath between The Free- hold and the playing fields. A resident had complained


about a faulty streetlight. The matter had been referred to PFL Electrical. Two emails had been received


fromresidents concerned about the level of the 2011/12 parish precept. A litter problem from The


Harp pub to Brookside round- about would be referred to Ton- bridge and Malling Borough Council. Four representatives from Chereng, a village in France, would be attending the annual parish meetings. It was hoped local families would accommo- date them. The East Peckham Silver Band was due to visit Chereng. Members expressed the opinion that having made the introductions, the twinning should now be led by East Peckham residents, groups and organisations. The air skier machine in the


sports hall had become loose in its mountings and required servicing and/or repairs. Arrangements had been made for Fresh Air Fitness to assess the work required and provide a quotation. It was believed that the machine had not been secured with the correct num- ber of bolts. Three sports hall booking in- quiries had been confirmed for a zumba class, an exercise class and a martial arts class. Five booking inquiries had


been received in respect of the new meeting room and, so far, two confirmed bookings had been made. The gymclub had extended


the number of hours that they used the sports hall. A booking inquiry had been


made for a barn dance but de- clined on the grounds that it would have meant applying to the borough council for an al- cohol and entertainment li- cence. Also, as the event would have finished late at night it could have caused disturbance to nearby residents. New signage would be put in


place both inside and outside the sports hall. A new 10 mph sign would be installed at the entrance of the car park. The borough council had


been asked to replace the street name plate at Pippin Road and Kent Highway Services had been asked to install a new di- rectional sign at Pound Road. Blinds had been ordered and would be installed in the sports hall, office and meeting room.


Discoveryproject KCC Councillor Richard Long confirmed that he continued to chase Kent Highway Services about the Discovery Drive pedestrian crossing. He had earmarked approximately £40,000, almost two years’ worth of his member’s highway fund, to the project. It was re- quested that he ask for some of


Kings Hill Council Continued on page 30 You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk


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